By Vassiliki Vegiri

 

 

2022 is an upswing for Greek Goldsmithing, Silversmithing and Jewelry, with sales reaching - as the president of the Panhellenic Federation of Artisan Silversmiths, Jewelers and Watchmakers (POVAKO), Petros Kalpakidis, says in “N” - those of 2019.

 

Speaking to “N” in more detail, in view of the 36th Kosmima International Exhibition that will take place at TIF (Thessaloniki International Fair) from November 5 to 7, Mr. Kalpakidis who is also the president of the Association of Jewelers and Watch Dealers of Thessaloniki points out that the sector’s sales this year increased by approximately 30% compared to 2021. In 2021 the sector had “caught” 65%-70% of 2019 sales, due to the “Scottish shower” suffered due to autumn health measures after last summer’s good sales.

 

This year sales, always according to the president of POVAKO, have increased by approximately 30% from last year reaching the levels of 2019, with the main characteristic being that more but lower value pieces were sold, a development that is explained - as he notes - by the conditions that have taken shape in the international economy.

 

This year is estimated to be developing satisfactorily for jewelers and silversmiths, as the tourist season went very well, especially in the islands of the Eastern Aegean. Better “performances” were recorded by the sector’s sales in Crete, Rhodes also did very well, followed by Lesvos, while in Thessaloniki and Athens there is also mobility - in Athens greater due to tourism again.

 

The industry professionals, as Mr. Kalpakidis adds, are trying to contain prices, even though the cost of the raw material has skyrocketed, as a kilo of 24 carat gold now costs more than 53,000 euros, when three to four years ago its price did not exceed the 40,000 euros.

 

Given this increase, the Panhellenic Federation of Artisan Silversmiths, Jewelers and Watchmakers  requests with even greater emphasis the abolition of the luxury tax for purchases over 1,000 euros that applies in Greece, as well as the organization of more participations of the sector in International Trade Shows abroad with the support of Enterprise Greece, as it happened this summer at JCK Las Vegas.

 

Following the improvement in the course of the sector, the Kosmima Exhibition itself returns to TIF this year strengthened, with more than 40 entries, after the forced “break” of 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic and its reduction to an “exhibition hall” in 2021.

 

In addition to the increased domestic interest from the largest companies in the sector, the 36th Kosmima also has international participations from Turkey, USA, Bulgaria, Estonia and Italy, as pointed out by the managing director of TIF-Helexpo S.A., Kyriakos Pozrikidis.